Fire fundraisers: Where to listen to music and support High Park and Waldo Canyon efforts

As firefighters continue to tackle the wildfires ravaging large portions of the state, local communities are searching for ways to provide aid, even from hours away. In Denver, a handful of local live music venues and companies have already stepped up to launch shows to benefit fire relief efforts -- and in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, the number of events is even larger. So far, no one has organized a large-scale benefit featuring the state's biggest names, but that doesn't mean that show's not in the planning stages right now. In the meantime, click through for an early rundown of local ways to pitch in and listen up at the same time.

Did we miss any benefit events? If so, let us know. We'll continue to update this post as more shows are announced.

Tonight at Left Hand Brewing Company: Originally scheduled for the Mishawaka Amphitheatre, tonight's show was then re-envisioned as a fundraiser for the very same fire that kept it out. Proceeds from the night's music, merch and beer and food sales benefit the Northern Colorado chapter of the American Red Cross and the Rist Canyon Fire Department. The $35 show starts at 7 p.m. and features Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra.

Sunday at The Bar: This weekend's all-afternoon benefit begins at 3 p.m. and includes more than forty acts, from acoustic and a capella groups to drag queens and kings, followed by electronic DJs in the late-night hours. Throughout the evening, entertainers will accept cash tips for the Colorado Fireman's Fund, which will also benefit from any $2 Jell-O shots and $10 all-you-can-drink beer bust entries purchased. Volunteers will also be on hand to collect blankets, bottled water, canned goods, toiletries and toys for the Red Cross.

If entertainment doesn't draw you, stop by for the night's chance drawing, which will raise additional funds for the Fireman's Fund. And if you can't attend at all, organizers are accepting donations via PayPal through the account nsbty@aol.com. "We're hoping that it will be so packed we won't be able to move and that as much cash will be flowing as possible," bar owner Ray Rodriguez says. "We're putting together all the ideas we can think of."

July 13 at Larimer Lounge: On the second Friday in July, stakeholders at the Larimer Lounge will present an all-night fundraiser to bring in donations for the Colorado chapter of the American Red Cross. Although doors open at 6 p.m., the show kicks off at 9 p.m. with a bill featuring Monroe Monroe, the Shaloms, the Lollygags and Dirty/Heavy. The suggested donation is $10, and event organizers are also currently looking for donations for a silent auction to pair with the show. To donate items, contact larimer.wildfirebenefit@gmail.com.

July 15 at 3 Kings Tavern: Two weeks from this Sunday -- when, unfortunately, the High Park fire is still not expected to be entirely contained -- Clampdown Radio and BoCo Entertainment will co-host a benefit for the Red Cross to contribute to the victims of all fires raging across the state. The full line-up is still to be announced, but the setlist already includes Hawk Attack, the Informants and Ryan Chrys & Friends, among others. All admission proceeds will be donated.

This week at Red Rocks Amphitheatre: To raise money for fire relief efforts, organizers at AEG Live will auction VIP tickets to three shows coming to Red Rocks this week: the Avett Brothers (June 30), Foster the People (July 3) and Blues Traveler (July 4). Opening bids begin at $100 and all proceeds will benefit the Red Cross. In addition, AEG is offering VIP seats for the famous venue's July 28 Alan Jackson performance for purchase to benefit the Denver Foundation.

In July online: Colorado favorite String Cheese Incident will take on Red Rocks for three nights starting July 5, and iClips.net will be on hand to record both those sets and the band's Electric Forest gigs. Later, the streaming service will broadcast the shows through its Pay-Per-View option and donate a portion of the proceeds to Help Colorado Now. Packages range from $7.99 to $19.99.

July 6 and 7 at Mercury Cafe: The young and classically inclined troupe Cabaret Otaku will perform $10 shows at 7:30 both nights to benefit firefighting efforts across the state. Interested parties need not fear the word "opera": This is a mellow group, not a haughty one. For more information, see our complete calendar listing.